Orange and OJ Production Rise in Turkey

Josh McGillFresh, International, Orange Juice

Orange and orange juice (OJ) production levels in Turkey are forecast to be higher in 2021–22 than in 2020–21, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) update. Orange production is now expected to be 1.75 million metric tons (MMT), compared to 1.3 MMT the prior year. OJ production is projected at 10,000 metric tons (MT) …

No Negative Cardiovascular Impacts for Children Drinking OJ

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice, Research

New research examining the cardiovascular health of young adults who consumed 100% orange juice (OJ) as children indicates no increased risk for high blood pressure or elevated blood lipid levels as a result. The research, published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, specifically looked at 100% OJ consumption during late childhood and early adolescence and its association …

Florida State Budget and OJ Action Reported

Josh McGillFlorida, Legislative, Orange Juice

In a recent Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) newsletter, the grower association told how the Florida state budget addresses citrus issues and reported FCM’s position on an orange juice petition.  STRONG SUPPORTThe 2022–23 Florida state budget signed June 2 by Gov. Ron DeSantis totaled $109.9 billion and included more than $37 million in support for the state’s citrus industry. Citrus support …

Inflation Impacts OJ Consumers

Josh McGillEconomics, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist Marisa Zansler discussed orange juice (OJ) volume movement and the potential impacts inflation may have on the category at the May 18 Florida Citrus Commission meeting. She also addressed the importance of ongoing marketing activities to support sales even as supply constraints continue. Inflation is persistently up across all goods, with shelter, food, airline …

Maintaining Demand for OJ Amid Supply-Shortage Concerns

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

By Marisa L. Zansler Over the last 20 years, the Florida citrus industry has faced many challenges, from destructive diseases, hurricanes, production cost increases, and, now in 2022, the devastation of a winter freeze. As a result, Florida citrus production has declined considerably. During the 2021–22 season, there is a 26% decline in volume movement compared to the prior season. …

Discussing OJ Health Benefits With Dietitians

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

For the first time since 2019, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) connected face-to-face in late May with hundreds of registered dietitians to discuss the health benefits of Florida orange juice. Today’s Dietitian Spring Symposium included an opportunity to educate the dietitians at an exhibit booth and present recent research about the impact of 100% orange juice on inflammation and …

How OJ Will Be Marketed in 2022–23

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing, Orange Juice

The Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) 2022–23 orange juice (OJ) marketing plan will have a few shifts in retail partners and tactics to help ensure Florida OJ remains top of mind. Karmen Johnson of Edible, the FDOC’s marketing agency, shared an overview of the 2022–23 strategic focus, audience insights and integrated communications plan with the Florida Citrus Commission on May …

post-hurricane

Update on CRDF Research Projects

Josh McGillCRDF, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) Research Management Committee and board of directors recently approved projects for funding. The first CRDF research project has approval for funding of a final year of research by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to study the lebbeck mealybug and its management. “The Research Management Committee debated this …

Uncle Matt’s Organic Launches Low-Calorie OJ

Josh McGillIndustry News Release, Orange Juice

Uncle Matt’s Organic recently announced the launch of its Matt50 orange juice beverage. Matt50 contains half the sugar and calories of regular orange juice and is boosted with Vitamin C, prebiotics, probiotics, calcium, potassium and folate. Susan McLean, Uncle Matt’s Organic vice president of marketing and innovation, said Matt50 contains just 50 calories per serving. It is sweetened with organic stevia, a …

Inflation Considered in OJ Marketing

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Marketing, Orange Juice

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is exploring ways to entice consumers to buy orange juice (OJ) in the face of inflation, Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson stated recently. He reported that the FDOC is “analyzing how inflation may impact consumers in the months ahead and exploring which marketing activities may help ensure Florida orange juice remains in carts …

OJ Marketing Success Highlighted at Peace River Meeting

Josh McGillMarketing, Orange Juice

Members of Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association gathered in Arcadia last week for their annual meeting and dinner. Updates were provided on association business, the state legislative session and citrus Extension activities. In addition, Samantha Lane, global marketing director for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), gave an insightful presentation on consumer purchasing habits and how orange juice (OJ) …

Florida OJ Tariffs Lifted in United Kingdom

Josh McGillOrange Juice, Trade

The United States and the United Kingdom announced a trade accord on March 22. The United States will remove tariffs on British steel and aluminum, while the United Kingdom will remove retaliatory tariffs on a number of American exports, including Florida orange juice. “We appreciate the work of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in …

OJ Is Half of Household Juice Purchases

Josh McGillCitrus, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

Orange juice (OJ) recently accounted for more than half of the fruit juice purchased by households, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist Marisa Zansler told the Florida Citrus Commission on March 16. Citing a report on the Household Purchase Dynamics in the Beverage Category, Zansler added that grapefruit juice represented only about 1.5% of fruit juice sales. All fruit juice …

Florida Growers Detail CRAFT Projects

Josh McGillCitrus, Florida

There has been quite a bit of interest in the Citrus Research and Field Trials (CRAFT) program. During the Florida Citrus Show held in Fort Pierce in late January, a panel of citrus growers discussed projects they have been approved to conduct under CRAFT. Tamara Wood, executive director of the CRAFT Foundation, moderated the panel and provided an update on …

Florida OJ Demand and Rising Food Prices

Josh McGillFlorida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

By Marisa L. Zansler It’s been nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic first swept across the country. American households are still adapting to a new way of life that includes a shifting of work-life balance and a return to familiar routines such as family gatherings, travel and venturing outside of the home. INFLATION AND OJ AVAILABILITYAs this transition into …

Florida OJ Videos Play in Airports

Josh McGillFlorida, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) showed its “The Original Wellness Drink” videos about Florida orange juice (OJ) within major airports during the holiday season. These 15- and 30-second videos played throughout multiple markets via airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Orlando, Tampa/Sarasota and Washington, D.C. The ads ran from Thanksgiving week through New Year’s Eve, targeting at …

citrus

OJ Sales Still Strong

Josh McGillFlorida, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice, sales

Orange juice (OJ) sales remain strong, with the 2021 holiday period closing near 2016 levels, Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) economist Marisa Zansler told the Florida Citrus Commission on Jan. 19. Total OJ volume movement for the holiday period ending Jan 1, 2022, was 37.9 million gallons, an increase of 2 million equivalent gallons compared to 2019. The gains are …

South African

Consumers Prefer Florida OJ

Josh McGillFlorida, Orange Juice

Consumers are more likely to buy orange juice (OJ) if they think the fruit comes from Florida, new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows. In fact, top reasons consumers purchase OJ include taste, health benefits and origin of the fruit.  According to the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), while 80% of OJ consumers who …

OJ Production in Turkey to Rise

Ernie NeffInternational, Orange Juice

For 2021-22, orange juice (OJ) production in Turkey is forecast at 10,000 metric tons (MT) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). That is higher than the 2020-21 OJ production total of 9,500 MT total, and is in correlation with high production and increasing domestic demands. DEVELOPING MARKETThe amount of oranges sent to processing plants increased to …

Targeting E-commerce to Drive Florida OJ Sales Higher

Josh McGillFlorida, Florida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice

As HLB has reduced Florida’s citrus crop, so too has the budget shrunk for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). The agency charged with promoting the state’s signature crop is largely funded by fees based on citrus production. FDOC has been forced to look for creative ways to do more with less with its promotional budget. One tactic has been …